Multifibrous toy and method of manufacture thereof

Abstract

A process of making a multifibrous article comprising forming a bundle of a desired length comprisinga first plurality of fibers of a first flexible material;a second plurality of fibers of a second flexible material;wherein the first plurality of fibers and the second plurality of fibers are selectively interspersed within the bundle as desired and are compressibly retained at a position intermittent of the length; andheat treating the bundle at an effective temperature for an effective period of time to effect a desired selective change in physical property characteristics selected from the group consisting of shrinking, singeing and melting of the fibers. The pompon-like article is used as a toy for a cat.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A process of making a multifibrous article comprising forming a bundle of a desired length comprising 
       a first plurality of fibers of a first flexible material;  
       a second plurality of fibers of a second flexible material;  
       wherein said first plurality of fibers and said second plurality of fibers are selectively interspersed within said bundle as desired and are compressibly retained at a position intermittent of said length; and  
       heat treating said bundle at an effective temperature for an effective period of time to effect a desired selective change in physical property characteristics selected from the group consisting of shrinking, singeing and melting of said fibers.  
     
     
       2. A process as defined in  claim 1  further comprising at least one or more pluralities of fibers of a third or more flexible material. 
     
     
       3. A process as defined in  claim 1  wherein said flexible materials are selected from the group consisting of a natural and synthetic material. 
     
     
       4. A process as defined in  claim 3  wherein said natural material is selected from a wool and cotton. 
     
     
       5. A process as defined in  claim 3  wherein said synthetic material is selected from a polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, nylon, acrylic ester and polyamide. 
     
     
       6. A process as defined in  claim 1  wherein said bundle further comprises a non-fibrous flexible material. 
     
     
       7. A process as defined in  claim 6  wherein said non-fibrous material is selected from a plastics material and aluminum in the form of a sheet. 
     
     
       8. A process as defined in  claim 1  wherein said fibers are compressibly retained by a member selected from the group consisting of a stretched elastic material and metal ring. 
     
     
       9. A process as defined in  claim 1  wherein said effective temperature is selected from 40°-200° C. 
     
     
       10. A process as defined in  claim 1  wherein said effective period of time is selected from 10-100 seconds. 
     
     
       11. A process as defined in  claim 1  comprising agitating said bundle at said effective temperature and effective period of time in a tumble dryer. 
     
     
       12. A process as defined in  claim 1  wherein said first plurality of fibers are selectively partially melted relative to said second plurality of fibers. 
     
     
       13. A process as defined in  claim 1  wherein said fibers of at least said first plurality comprise the form of a plurality of mesh or net members layered one member upon another. 
     
     
       14. A multifibrous article as made by a process as defined in  claim 1 . 
     
     
       15. An article as defined in  claim 14  in the form of a non-spheroidal shape. 
     
     
       16. An article as defined in  claim 14  wherein at least said first material is luminescent. 
     
     
       17. An article as defined in  claim 14  wherein said first material and said second material are of different colors.